Makara Jyothi issue: Sri Rama Sene holds protest

[email protected] (CD Network)
February 7, 2011

Mangalore, February 7: Stunned by the revelation that 'Makara Jyothi' was a man lit-fire, the Dakshina Kannada district unit of Sri Rama Sena, on Monday staged a protest against the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDP), which manages the Sabarimala shrine, burning the effigy of its President M Rajagoplan Nair in front of the Office of Deputy Commissioner here.

Rajagopalan has recently made it clear that it is known to everybody that Makara Jyothi is a fire lit up by men at Ponnabalamedu and TDB also admits this fact.

In the wake of the Pullumedu stampede in which 102 devotees died on Janauary 14 when devotees were returning after witnessing the jyothi, Kerala High Court had asked TDB to clarify whether the Makara Jyothi is man-made or a celestial phenomenon.

Addressing a few dozens of saffron clad protesters Madhukar Mudradi, State Spokesperson of the Sena said that Christian missionaries and anti-Hindu groups have played a major role behind the TDP's revelation.


Accusing Rajagopalan of transgressing into the sphere of belief and traditions of large number of Hindus, who sacrifice their luxury life and sleep after observing 'vratha' and walk bare foot for many kilometres to witness the “divine light”, Mudradi said a Hindu cannot tolerate such statements.

He said that in order to safeguard the Hindu beliefs and avoid further disgrace of devotees, the government should take immediate measures to dissolve the TDP.


Mudradi alleged that the central and all the state governments of India are trying to appease minorities as part of their vote bank policy, and are continuously insulting and attacking Hindu beliefs.


Kumar Malemanr, DK district President of the Sene, warned the Kerala government of intensifying the protest if it fails to sack Rajagopalan from his current post. He also demanded that the TDP president be arrested and put behind bars.

Other local leaders of the outfit Madhusoodan Urvastore, Kishor Mahakalipadpu, Ganesh and Nagesh were among those present.

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News Network
November 27,2025

Bengaluru, Nov 27: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s camp is reportedly on alert as the Congress leadership tussle in the state intensifies, particularly amid speculation over the potential promotion of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. Siddaramaiah is said to be in a “wait-and-watch” mode after admitting to “confusion” earlier this week and urging the party to “put a full stop” to it.

Sources say his supporters are ready to act if senior leaders — including party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi — give any indication of backing Shivakumar. If the party insists on a leadership change, Siddaramaiah’s camp has a list of alternatives, underscoring the deep rift between the two leaders. One possible candidate is Home Minister G. Parameshwara, a Siddaramaiah loyalist and influential Dalit leader.

The strategy was reportedly finalized at a meeting led by PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi, another Siddaramaiah supporter, who stressed that Delhi leaders need to resolve the issue. Kharge and the Gandhis are expected to meet soon, after which Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar may be summoned to Delhi.

Shivakumar has largely stayed non-confrontational, publicly endorsing Siddaramaiah and downplaying speculation about his own ambitions. However, he has made pointed comments emphasizing the importance of honoring promises, directed at Siddaramaiah.

The feud traces back to the 2023 state election, when Siddaramaiah was chosen as Chief Minister while Shivakumar, who led the party’s campaign, was made Deputy CM and state party chief — a departure from the Congress’ usual “one post per person” rule.

There were also hints of a prior understanding that Siddaramaiah would step down midway through the term. As the halfway mark passed last week, Shivakumar-aligned lawmakers have ramped up pressure on the party for a leadership change, with Shivakumar himself hinting at stepping down as state party chief to pursue the top job.

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News Network
December 1,2025

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Udupi, Dec 1: A horrific case of alleged rape has unfolded in Udupi, where a worker from a Hindutva organisation, previously arrested and released on bail for harassing a young woman, is now accused of waylaying and sexually assaulting her.

The arrested individual has been identified as Pradeep Poojary (26), a member of the Hindu Jagarana Vedike's Nairkode unit in Perdur.

Poojary had allegedly been relentlessly harassing the young woman, pressuring her to marry him. When she bravely stood up to him and refused his demands, she filed a formal complaint at the Hiriyadka police station. He was subsequently arrested in that initial harassment case but was later granted bail.

According to police reports, driven by the same malicious grudge, Poojary allegedly intercepted the woman again on November 29. While she was walking through a deserted area, the accused is claimed to have threatened her by grabbing her neck. When she again refused to marry him, he allegedly proceeded to rape her.

The survivor immediately informed her family about the traumatic assault. Following this, her parents lodged a complaint at the Udupi women’s police station.

Police arrested Poojary again and produced him before the court. He has since been remanded to judicial custody.

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News Network
November 28,2025

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Mangaluru, Nov 28: Karnataka Health Minister and Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Friday handed over Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, highlighting the severe distress faced by farmers due to crashing crop prices.

PM Modi arrived at the Mangaluru International Airport en route to Udupi, where Gundu Rao welcomed him and submitted the letter. The chief minister’s message stressed that farmers are suffering heavy losses because maize and green gram are being bought far below the Minimum Support Price (MSP). The state urged the Centre to immediately begin procurement at MSP.

According to the letter, Karnataka has a bumper harvest this year—over 54.74 lakh metric tons of maize and 1.98 lakh metric tons of green gram—yet farmers are unable to secure fair prices. Against the MSP of ₹2,400/MT for maize and ₹8,768/MT for green gram, market rates have plunged to ₹1,600–₹1,800 and ₹5,400 respectively.

The chief minister has requested the Centre to:

• Direct NAFED, FCI and NCCF to start MSP procurement immediately.
• Ensure ethanol units purchase maize directly from farmers or FPOs.
• Increase Karnataka’s ethanol allocation, citing high production capacity.
• Stop maize imports, which have depressed domestic prices.
• Relax quality norms for green gram, allowing up to 10% discoloration due to rains.

The letter stresses that MSP is crucial for farmer dignity and income stability and calls for swift central intervention to prevent a deepening crisis.

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